With a steroid scandal, an exodus of top stars, and stiff competition from WCW, the WWF was on the brink of being out of business at several points in the mid 90's. It was even rumoured that Vince had the water coolers removed from HQ as a cost cutting measure. Financial losses of $4,431,000 in 1995 were almost catastrophic. The company returned to slim profits in 96 and 97, but the overall product was in the gutter. Champions like Diesel and Shawn Michaels weren't drawing. The creative was lacking and fans had followed the more well known wrestlers like Hulk Hogan to WCW. On several occasions, the WWE were nearly finished. "It was bad enough that we were going to mortgage our retirement home. Those are some times you don't forget" Vince McMahon is quoted in WWE 50.
